MPs call for Iraq statement

Reported American plans for a post-conflict government for Iraq contradicted Tony Blair's comments on Washington's commitment to consult the UN, a Labour ex-minister said today.

Glenda Jackson told MPs there was a "clear lack of communication" between No 10 and the White House.

The Hampstead and Highgate MP was joined by other Labour backbenchers in her call for a Commons statement on the war.

Raising a point of order, she said the plan reported in the press for 24 ministries headed by a US official with four US-appointed Iraqi advisers "flies directly in the face" of the Prime Minister's previous assurances.

She said Mr Blair had said there was no need to persuade the US that any post-conflict Iraqi administration would be "accepted and endorsed" by the United Nations.

Ms Jackson called on the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary to answer MPs' questions on post-conflict Iraq - an issue not only serious for the people of Iraq but "for the peace of the whole world".

Speaker Michael Martin said the plans were set out in press report and therefore he would "make no further comment".

Anti-war Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn called for the Government to give an update to the House on the "appalling" situation in Iraq.

The MP for Islington North said: "Since we last had a statement about the situation in Iraq the Prime Minister has met President Bush; the secretary of state for defence in the US has sought to bring Iran and Syria into the conflict; and there haeen a rising tide of civilian casualties as well as military casualties in this dreadful conflict."

Mr Martin reminded him that Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon had answered questions from MPs yesterday and that it was Prime Minister's question time tomorrow.

Father of the House Tam Dalyell called for a statement on reports that Muslims from other countries were volunteering their services to Iraqi forces following allied attacks on important holy places.